Review the following case study:
Maria, a 30-year-old woman from Puerto Rico and the mother of two boys, was hospitalized after overdosing on sleeping medication. For two months prior to the attempt, she had been seeking therapy for tiredness, loss of appetite, and sleep disturbances. Her therapist noted that she exhibited significant hopelessness, fatigue, and irritability. Additionally, Maria was low-keyed, restrained in behavior, avoided eye contact, and found it difficult to verbalize her thoughts and feelings.
The overdose occurred after Mariaâs husband, Rick, her high school sweetheart, refused to allow her to attend night school. Maria had registered for a college course because she wanted to advance in her current job. The therapist supported Mariaâs decision, believing it could also help her gain confidence in her daily life. When Rick found out about this went into a rage, tearing up her registration papers and tossing out her books. He refused to go to therapy with Maria or discuss the matter further.
a. (8 points) What is the most appropriate diagnosis for Maria based upon what you have learned this semester? Briefly explain your rationale including information from the course texts and/or lecture notes.
b. (8 points) Assume that you are a therapist who specializes in humanistic approaches. How would you treat Maria? For your response, give TWO examples linking the humanistic perspective (person-centered therapy) to Mariaâs problems/symptoms.
c. (8 points) Now assume that you are a cognitive-behavioral psychologist. How would you treat Maria? For your response, give TWO examples linking either cognitive or behavioral techniques to Mariaâs problems/symptoms.
d. (8 points) Which of the therapeutic approaches that you discussed above do you believe would be most effective at helping Maria? Explain your rationale, linking it to specific information from the text and/or class lectures/notes.
(8 points) Consider the articles by Zimbardo (The pathology of imprisonment) and Haney, Banks, and Zimbardo (Interpersonal dynamics in a simulated prison), as well as our class discussion about the Stanford Prison Study. Name and describe TWO situational factors that affected the guardsâ and/or prisonersâ behavior. Use examples to illustrate.
